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COVID-19 Medicine
Update
Top 4 Medicines that made
headlines lately

Parameters Favipiravir Remdesivir Dexamethasone Hydroxychloroquine

Type of
Antivirals Steroid Antimalarial
medicine

How does The Chain Terminators: The Immune The Entry Checker:
it work in Work by inhibiting an enzyme Suppressor: Works by interfering
called RNA dependent RNA Works by with the process of
COVID-19?
polymerase. This enzyme suppressing the viral entry into the
helps coronavirus make more massive immune body’s cells.
copies of itself. Restricting it response evoked by
means less viral copies the coronavirus,
leading to reduced number of which may cause
viruses, less damage in the damage to lungs
body, and quicker recovery. and other organs.

Current Approved in Granted Approved in UK to WHO has stopped

Japan for (only) treat all people clinical trial on
status
novel influenza Emergency hospitalised with hydroxychloroquine
worldwide strains Use COVID-19, who (HCQ) on June 17,
unresponsive Authorization require oxygen, 2020
to available (EUA) by including those on
antivirals Food and ventilators
Drug
Unlicensed in Unlicensed in US;
Administrati
US and UK exclusive
on (FDA) to
recommendatio
treat adults
ns for use of
and children
dexamethasone
hospitalized
in people with
with severe
COVID-19 have
COVID-19
been released
EUA is not by the National
the same Institutes of
as FDA- Health.
approval.

Drug Controller Drug The Ministry of Phase 3 trial is being

Current
General of India Controller Health and Family conducted to check
status in (DCGI) provided General of Welfare has role of
India approval to a India (DCGI) included hydroxychloroquine
pharmaceutical provided dexamethasone in for prevention of new
company approval to the updated clinical infection and
(Glenmark, two management adverse outcomes
Brand name: pharmaceutic protocol for following COVID-19
Fabiflu) for al companies, COVID-19, after infection
manufacturing Hetero Health considering the Only approved for
and marketing Care (Brand latest available prophylaxis in high-
name, evidence and risk exposures and
Covifor)and expert contacts
Cipla (Brand consultations.
name,
ICMR has taken a
Cipremi), for
cautious approach
manufacturing
towards the use of
and marketing
dexamethasone
and is conducting
its own trials since:
-As per the experts,
in India, the number
of patients on
ventilators is lower
than the number of
patients who
require oxygen.
-Safety profile of
corticosteroids in
people with
COVID-19 and
having any
preexisting
conditions remains
unclear

People having Emergency People who are Prevention of

Who would
mild-to- use for the hospitalised with infection in
benefit moderate treatment of severe respiratory asymptomatic
from it? Coronavirus people complications of healthcare workers,
disease hospitalized COVID-19, put on frontline workers
with COVID-19. ventilator or and high-risk
oxygen support household contacts
of confirmed
positive cases.

Cautions Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity Systemic fungal Hypersensitivity to

to Favipiravir to Remdesivir infections HCQ (or similar
Hypersensitivity to compounds),
Pregnancy and Severe
dexamethasone retinopathy, G6PD
breastfeeding impairment in
deficiency, pre-
mothers kidney Cerebral malaria
existing
Elderly and functions
Caution in certain cardiomyopathy and
children, unless High level of conditions like cardiac rhythm
advised by liver enzymes cirrhosis, disorders
your doctor myasthenia
Pregnant and Prophylaxis in
lactating gravis, renal
children under 15
women insufficiency, or
years of age
ulcerative
Children Pregnancy and
diseases such as
below 12 breastfeeding
peptic ulcer
years of age mothers
disease or
ulcerative colitis.
and people at
higher risk for
osteoporosis

Cautious use
during pregnancy
and lactation

References:
1. RECOVERY Trial, Oxford University News Release.
2. Hydroxychloroquine & COVID-19. WHO.
3. Clinical Trials Registry, India.
4. COVID-19 Clinical Management Protocol. MoHFW.